Florence

brooklynesque · December 2013

I have a soft spot for this name because it was the name of a beloved relative. It's a top 100 name in Britain but not even in the top 1000 here.

Interestingly, it isn't derived from the city; it's the feminine form of Florent.

Would anyone consider naming a girl this or have we been spoiled by too many AF references on The Bump? ;-)

dreemkin84 · December 2013

I just don'' like the name. And I think Flo is a terrible nn. Flora might be a nice alternative to keep the sentiment of your relative.

this decaf life · December 2013

Oh I like the NN Flora! I just saw it on the top names in Canada post and thought it was a nice name.

diamondduck13 · December 2013

I kinda like it. I'd be happy to see it on someone else's kid.

MusicFanatic · December 2013

Nope, not really my thing.

==N== · December 2013

I like Florence, but looove Flora.

Gigi8212 · December 2013

There is a good possibility that we will name our baby Florence, if it's a girl. I finally got H semi onboard. He hates Flo, so that has been holding him back. He also dislikes Flossie, which I think is a cute nn for a little girl. If we do go with it, we probably wouldn't use a nn.

brooklynesque · December 2013

I wouldn't let anyone use Flo as a nickname. Flossie is cute but I doubt I'd use a nn either. My relative went her whole life without a cutesie nn.

Not sure if I could get my husband onboard with the name as a fn, but I think I have a good shot of getting it as a mn.

Ceridwen21 · December 2013

I adore it. It's a top 5 name in my province.

NerdyLucy · December 2013

Kimbus22 said:

The Aunt Flo thing didn't cross my mind.

This.

I don't like it enough to use it personally, but I think it's pretty, and if it has meaning for you, even better. I think it would be adorable to meet a 2 year old Florence.

Gigi8212 · December 2013

NerdyLucy said:

Kimbus22 said:

The Aunt Flo thing didn't cross my mind.

This.

I don't like it enough to use it personally, but I think it's pretty, and if it has meaning for you, even better. I think it would be adorable to meet a 2 year old Florence.

-------------------------------------------------
More people seem to think of Flo from Progressive. That is my husband's big hang up.

allardr · December 2013

I took a college trip to Italy and our tour guide was Florence. I also think of the Italian city Florence. I don't mind the name at all, however I would worry about Flo as a NN. However you don't pronounce them the same "Floor-ence" and "Flow" so if you dont plan to ever use it as NN I think it's ok

NerdyLucy · December 2013

Gigi8212 said:

------------------------------------------------- More people seem to think of Flo from Progressive. That is my husband's big hang up.

Ah, I see. I do watch TV and I do see a lot of those commercials, but somehow my mind didn't go there.

Of course, I'm of the mindset that seeing an adorable baby or child with a certain name changes the association for me.

julesgilead · December 2013

I actually don't mind Flo, but if you don't like it I don't think it will be too hard to suppress.
Florence is lovely. My primary association is Florence & the Machine, which is not a bad thing at all. Also, the Italian city. Which is also a positive thing.

BabiesFTW · December 2013

I really like Florence!
I don't like Flo so I personally didn't go for it. Same reason I'm not using Cora (I hate Corey).
Flora is a very pretty nickname though!

brit420 · December 2013

Love it, but hate that the nn Flo might be used.

Helenahhandbasket · December 2013

I like it a lot-- but couldn't ever use it because my evil SIL's name is Florene, which is also really pretty.

Florence would be too close for comfort for me.

ClaireHuxtable · December 2013

Not a fan of the name. It sounds really "heavy" to me.

homediva · December 2013

LOVE IT. Use it! I think it's more popular in Canada - maybe because the French name Florence is gorgeous too (pronounced fleur-ance).

FakeFinn · December 2013

I love it. The AF thing didn't cross my mind.

queenbone · December 2013

Not a fan of Florence, I have a friend whose mom is Florence and her husband calls her Flor. That's even more unattractive than Flo to me.

I'd MN Florence to honor a loved one.

Keri Marie · December 2013

I love it! It's a family name for me and I think Flora is a beautiful nn.

macchiatto · December 2013

To me it falls into the category of "old ladyish in a bad way, not a charming way," unfortunately. I agree Flora might be OK, but I definitely would not enjoy the Flo nickname which I think might be hard to avoid with Flora as well.